The Journal of mHealth Vol 1 Issue 2 (Apr 2014) | Page 14

Industry News Mobile Phone Camera Turned into a Mini-Microscope of the optics. The resolution of such mini-microscopes was dependent on the pixel size of the sensor, but sufficient for identification of several pathogenic parasites. Microscopy, being relatively easy to perform at low cost, is the universal diagnostic method for detection of most globally important parasitic infections. Methods developed in well-equipped laboratories are, however, difficult to maintain at the basic levels of the health care system due to lack of adequately trained personnel and resources. Modified mobile devices could provide a novel solution to this issue. Researchers at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, FIMM, Univer- sity of Helsinki and Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, have now shown that novel techniques for high-resolution imaging and image transfer over data networks may be utilised to solve these diagnostic problems. The team led by Dr. Johan Lundin and Dr. Ewert Linder modified inexpensive imaging devices, such as a webcam and a mobile phone camera, into a mini-microscope. The test sample was placed directly on the exposed surface of the image sensor chip after removal In their study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases the researchers were able to use the minimicroscopes they constructed to yield images of parasitic worm eggs present in urine and stools of infected individuals. They first utilised this novel approach to detect urinary schistosomiasis, a severely under diagnosed infection affecting hundreds of millions, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. For diagnostics at the point-of-care they developed a highly specific pattern recognition algorithm that analyses the image from the mini-microscope and automatically detects the parasite eggs. “The results can be exploited for constructing simple imaging devices for low-cost diagnostics of urogenital schistosomiasis and other neglected tropical infectious diseases,” says Dr. Lundin. “With the proliferation of mobile phones, data transfer networks and digital microscopy applications the stage is set for alternatives to conventional microscopy in endemic areas.”  Digital Health 500 500 Companies Worldwide Leading the Way in Digital Health To suggest a company or to apply to be considered for the list please contact [email protected] The Journal of mHealth The Global Voice of mHealth 12 April 2014